
^^T^^^y^L^ * 



POETIC SUNBEAMS 



OF- 



HERE AND THERE 



Poams Full of Wit and Humor for the Public Reciter 



■BY- 



H. F. SMITH 

B. S.. U. B. ofF.. Mason, A. F. of 1.. 0. G, S. 



—AUTHOR OF— 

"Christmas Bells." 
"The Rose of Sharon." 
"Mathematical Short Cuts." 

"Take Me Back to My Childhood Days." 

Copyright A. D. 1903 by H. F. Smith 
LAMB PUBLISHING CO. s^^^e Princeton. Indiana. 



THE LtBRARV OF 
CONGRESS. 

Two Copies Received 

SEP 2 1903 

(1 Copyright Entry 
COPY B. 



To my two boys, my loving ( and faithful wife 
who have helped me make this volume possible, 
I sincerely dedicate this volume — Author. 






l m 



INDEX 



Introductory 

An Angels Visit 4 

Abe Lincoln . 9 

An Unexpected Fall 9 

A Widows Thanksgiving Dinner 33 

Birth of Christ 7 

Boys That Are Wanted 18 

Brudder Josiah's Prayer 27. 

Christmas Bells 6 

Douglas 8 

Dying Like a Man 1 i 

Dat Ole Banjo 24 

Dar's Been A Mighty Change 28 

De People Eat Too Much 37 

Dat Olio 43 

De Fall of De Year 46 

Easter Song 45 

Give 3 

Git Close Fudaer 10 

Gittin' Ready 41 

Hannah's Complaint 51 

How to Give 3 

He's A Little Bit of Nothing Anyway 5 

He's but a Thing, Not a Man 15 

Heroine of Silver Reef 21 

I n God's House 19 

Look Ahead 9 

Let the Cross Remain 14 

Little Beauty Blossoms 32 

Labor Omnia Vincit 40 

Labor Millinmum 40 

Music Everywhere 6 

Majah's Tui key 29 

Mosquito Bill 41 

No Kick a-Comin' 44 

Halloween 4 3 

Party Song 7 

Present Sentiment 13 

Pi ace and C ocd Will 16 

-Sis Doves Wealth 49 

Spring 5 

Sweet Little Birdies 17 

The Rose of Sharon 3 

Thanksgiving 4 

Take Me Back to my Chilhood Days 8 

The Green Mob 20 

Those Blasted Dots 48 

The Widdow Brooks ^ 3 1 

Three Heroes 32 

The Woman Behind the Tub 36 

Thats Mother 39 

Tw ; xt the Cup and the Lip 42 

Uncle Ephreanis Mule 22 

Uncle Rubenis Predicament 25 

Uncle Abram 47 

When de Frost is on de Punkin 16 

Why de Rooster crows at Dawn of Day 30 

Why de Devil am Lefthanded 35 

What is It? 38 



INTRODUCTORY 



In the 'Poetic Sunbeams of Here and There," we have vividly portrayed in 
ne volumn a class of poems that will awaken pleasant emotion in every readers 
mind. 

Persons who want to enjoy the sweet and tender strains of lyrical music 
should read this volume through. — 

'"For it simply comes and gits you, 

An* stands you on your feet 
An' steps you to de music 

Befo' you git your seat. - ' 

His poems are both grave and humorous, and each teach a moral, some- 
thing after the style of Paul Lawrence Dunbar. The originality, humor and 
trueness to life shown in these poems ranks the author among the best negro 
dialect poets in the land. 

He was born in Eddyville, Ky , Feb. 16. 1 864, at the age of 1 5, he began 
teaching school in Lyon, Co.. Ky.. and has taught continuously, every since in 
the state of Kentucky and Indiana 

He moved to Indiana 1885 and settled at Princeton. He graduated from 
the following schools: — from Dunville Normal, N. Y., 1895, from the Elkhurst 
Art School. 1897 from American Pen Art Hall and Business College, 
Wooster. Ohio. 1895 and received the degree of B. S. from the National Col- 
lege of Correspondence, Vincenr.es. Ind.. in 1903. 

Mr. Smith, combines wit and humor in poetry, in a most happy and brilliant 
manner. We hope for him a great future. 

R. U Anthony. A. M.. D. B. 



THE ROSE OF SHARON 

A rose was dropped at my feet one day 
While wandering o'er the lee; 

I picked it up and wondered if 
This rose was dropped forme. 

I locked around and saw no hand 
From which this rose might fall; 

I looked aloft beyond the skies 
To Him who giveth all. 

This rose was what a rose should be, 

Perfect and full of bloom; 
I pinned it to my throbbing breast. 

Inhaled its sweet perfume. 

The rose grew more from day to day 

Unfcl it covered my breast 
Its charming life destroyed my sins. 

And gave me constant rest. 

Oh, when this mortal clay of mine 

Is carried to the grave; 
I'll take this rose of Sharon on 
Because it did me save. 
— o — 
GIVE. 

All the earth is full of giving, 
From the seed to tree-top tall, 
From the lands and mighty oceans, 
There is giving in them all. 

Though they give, they have no losses, 
For their giving is a gain; 
Tho ugh they give their all in giving, 
All they gave would be regain'. 

Every fift must have a giver, 
Better from a cheerful heart, 
Better still if love's the center 
Of the gift that you impart. 

Poverty ne'r comes from giving, 
Matters not how much you give; 
Giving does enrich the giver; 
They who give will better live. 

Study deep , the good of giving, 
If your conscience is not blind, 
You will learn that God of heaven 
Gave His best for human Hind. 

HOW TO LIVE. 

Live a noble, worthy living; 

Live above the filth and drift, 
Live pure-hearted — live forgiving. 

Learn to live and live to lift. 



Live for self and live for oihers, 
Never lose your self-respect; 

Live to know all men as brothers, 
Live upright and live correct. 

Live a life of love and labor, 
Never shirk when duty calls, 

Live to help your fellow neighbor: 
Live to aid him when he foils. 

Live to live the higher living: 
Far above this earthly sin; 

Live true-hearted, live forgiving. 
Seek to live to live again. 



AN ANGEL'S VISIT 

Some angels they came to my home one day 

And left a sweet one for me; 
How I loved it and urged it to ne'r go away; 

But it wanted in heaven to be. 

For its mother is there in that far away land 
Where death has never been found; 

Where no storms never beat on that glotified 
strand, 
Where the sun shall never go down. 

That company, it came to my home once 
more, 

In search of the lost little star. 
They took it from me and gladly it bore 

To the gates that standeth ajar. 

1 wondered why they did me so. 

But a voice spoke low to me: 
" Tis not for you, but for God to know 

Why it did not remain with thee.'* 

Cheering hope bloomed out upon my soul 
As I thought 'tis God's own way, 

I looked above to the city of gold 
And hoped for strength each day. 

1 want that troupe to come again for me 

When God sees fit to send. 
Oh. how I'll rejoice to know 1 am free 

From cruel death and sin. 



THANKSGIVING. 

Great Father 'tis of Thee 
Thy blessings we received. 

With thankful hearts. 
We love thy providence 
We sing with confidence, 
From every evidence 

Thy love imparts. 

We thank Thee for the corn, 



To feed the millions born 

In this our land. 
We praise 1 hy loving care, 
Thou in our hearts are dear, 
For all Thy goodness here. 

On every hand. 

HE'S A LITTLE BIT OF NOTHING ANYWAY. 

He's the latest of the fashion, 

And a figure in his clothes, 
From his airy conversation. 

You think he surely knows; 
But to leave it to the judges, 

On the benches of today. 
He's a little bit of nothing anyway. 

He's a cigarette consumer, 

And a lover of the wine 
At Vaudevilles, on the boulevards 

Is where he spends his time; 
But to leave it to the judges on 

The benches of today, 
He's a little bit of nothing anyway. 

He looks a man of leisure 
With his thousands in the bank. 

And he seeks the fairest ladies. 
Who are far above his rank, 

Not a dollar in the treasure 
Says the judges of today; 

He's a little bit of nothing anyway. 

When his life's work is over, 

And he comes down to die. 
And his life of deception 

Is uncovered to the eye, 
Then the verdict will be given 

By the judges of today. 
He's a little bit of nothing anyway. 



SPRING. 

Spring! Spring! magic spring! 

The magician of the year. 
The joy, the music thou doth bring. 

We all do love to cheer. 

The chill, the blast, that winter spent. 

Thy magic touch doth heal. 
The dead, the deaf, the somnolent 

Do much this mystery feel. 

The birds, the bees, the flowers unfold; 

All nature seems her best; 
We soon forget the wintry cold, 

And revel with the rest. 



The heart, the soul, that lost its hope, 
Takes courage in the main, 

Awakes, leaps up and seizes the rope 
That swing them in again. 

Is this not true with all the earth, 
When springtime fills the heart, 

We soon forget the wintery dearth, 
And the misery that's depart. 

Oh, may the springtime ever fill. 

Our soul with hallowed fire; 
So every day our hearts will thiill 

With this immortal sire. 



MUSIC EVERYWHERE. 

Go to the woods and fields. 

Listen to the birds; 
As their songs reveals 

Nature's sweetest words. 

Go to the mountains high, 

Listen to the breeze: 
As it sings and sighs 

Sweetly among the trees. 

Go to the rippling brook, 

Listen to their song; 
Echoed from the nooks 

As they dance along. 

Go where you will 

On ocean, land or air; 
Searching main or hill; 

There's music everywhere. 

CHRISTMAS BELLS. 

List, across the Judah plain, 
Hear the angel's glad refrain, 

As they sing to man on earth 
Of the Savior's humble birth, 

See. the shepherds all afright: 

As they watch their flock by night: 

Hear the angels as they sing. 
Glory to the new born king. 

Watch the star that shines so bright: 
Guides the angels in their flight; 

See the babe in swaddling clothes. 
As he lies in sweet repose 

See the Wisemen from the East. 

From the greatest to the least; 
Bow and give their gifts of go'd 

As they felt a joy untold. 



Christmas bells, Christmas bells, 

0, the joy thy music tells; 
Ringing in the Christmas time, 

Ringing joy for all mankind. 

PARTY SONG, 

O'er the hills our party went 

So happy, merry and gay; 
Singing and running, leaping and jumping. 

All along the way. 

Down the hills our party went 

Racing like the spray; 
Some a falling, screaming and squalling, 

All along the way. 

Into the valley our party went 

Seeking whatever they may; 
Leaves and ferns, fruits and flowers, 

All along the way. 

Round and round our party went 

In their merry play: 
Skipping and prancing, swing and dancing 

All along the way. 
— o — 

BIRTH OF CHRIST 

Our Christ, he was born in a lonely manger; 

When there was no room in the inn to be 
found. 

The shepherds, the wisemen, the meek-faced 
strangers; 

They came to the spot where the Savior 
was found. 

Old black. hearted Herod, who sought to de- 
stroy it, 

And made a decree that the baby must die; 

But God of the skies sent an angel to watch 
it, 

And thus he defeated old Herod's decry. 

The cruel hearted Herod, the black-hearted 
Herod, 

The most wicked Herod, who shortly did die. 

The birth of the Savior we hold as a pleas- 
ure, 

And every good deed which his coming 
revealed; 

The gospel he preached of the heavenly 
treasure, 

Is the purest and sweetest that human can 
feel. 

0, how we received it. with hearts that were 
glowing. 

And hasten with gladness the story to tell; 

Then soon with goodness of truth overflow- 
ing 

We said to our soul, it is well, it is well. 

The sweet loving Savior, the pure-hearted 



Savior, 
The most blessed Savior, we love Thee so 
well. 

TAKE ME BACK TO MY CHILDHOOD DAYS. 

Take me back to my childhood days. 

Back to my mother's knee: 
Take me back to her loving care 

That she Ireely gave to me 

Take me back to meadow green. 
Back to the birds and flowers; 

Take me back to the old grapevine. 
Where we spent such pleasant hours. 

Take me back to the woods and fields, 

Back to the old beech tree; 
Take me back where 1 cut her name. 

And she smiled and looked at me. 

Take me back to that happy place, 
There with her hand in mine: 

Take me back where she sweetly said: 
"I ever will be thine." 

Take me back to the old graveyard. 
Back where they laid her away; 

Take me back to that sabred spot, 
Where I hope to rest some day. 

Take me, take me back to my childhood days 
Back to the memories and scene s. 

Take me, take me back to my childhood days 
Back to its pleasures and dreams. 



DOUGLASS. 

Douglass, thou chieftian rest 

Beneath the frozen sod, 
While thy spirit, a royal quest, 

Is near the throne of God. 

While a nation sighs and weeps. 
Because thy soul has fled; 

While thy mouldering body sleeps 
In the city of the dead. 

While the press bears thy fate. 

The common lot of all, 
Sleep on, Douglass, great, 

Between the sacred wall. 

Sleep on thy noble Brave, 
Thou champion of the free, 

While thou art resting in the gravi 
A nation boasts of thee. 



ABE LINCOLN 

Abe Lincoln, 'tis of thee, 
Thou chief of liberty, 

Thy name we love; 
We know how thou didst die! 
We know thy soul was tried! 
Now in our nation's pride 

Thou hast our love! 

Our nation you set free. 
Champion of liberty, 

Thou name we praise; 
Long may our lives be bright. 
With freedom's holy light, 
Now in our nation's might 

Our voices raise. 



LOOK AHEAD 

Study de ends an' outs uf business, 

An' be keerful whar you tread, 
Nuver mind de quiz an' critics, 

Keep a thinkin' — look ahead, 

Set de stake an' plow right ter it, 

Nuver hanker roun' de bed; 
Rise up early, keep yo temper, 

Keep athinkin'— look ahead, 

Count de cost by actual figures 

'Low no guesses dar instead — 
Dats de danger of de business; 

Keep a thinkin' — look ahead 

If by chance you make a blunder. 

Try agen, as has been said, 
Be true hearted, keep your credit, 

Keep a thinkin' — look ahead. 

Dars no use uf givin' under, 

Kase you have been often bled; 
Learn ter profit by experience — 

Keep a thinkin' — look ahead. 

If de weights dat keep you under, 
Like a mighty ball of lead — 

Cut de tachments all ter thunder- 
Keep a thinkin' — look ahead. 

— o — 

AN UNEXPECTED FALL. 

A pair were strolling on a bright June day, 

Across a woodland wild; 
The birds were singing a morning's lay, 

And the air was sweet and mild. 

They looked beneath their anxious feet,* 

And danced upon the grass; 
And wondered if they would 'er remeet, 



Or would this be the last. 

She wore a lovely morning- dress, 

All made to correspond, 
With the golden curls that sweetly press, 

The brow of the beautiful blonde. 

"Let's go." said she, to the Circle Falls, 

And learn their morning song, 
And see the waves go o'er the walls 
As they come dancing along." 

"Alright." said he, "we are on the road, 

A quarter of a mile or more: 
We are yet in sight of your abode, 

And is near the beautiful shore " 

The charming falls stand out in view. 

Before that lovely pa.ii : 
She stooped to pluck a honey-dew, 

He turned— she was not there. 

"0 God! where did my bonny go?" 
He bowed his head and cried-- 

There in the raging foams below. 
He spied his pretty bride. 

Amid the wild and rushing stream, 

He saw her disappear. 
And as she sank he heard her scream; 

"0 save me! Save me. dear!" 

He leaped, it was an awful leap, 

A leap so brave and true; 
"I come to take you. cruel deep. 

My bride away from you." 

"I have you both," the demon said. 

And kissed them both with pain, 
"You both shall die where 1 tread, 

And here forever remain." 

"You lie," the young giant cried. 

What have I done to you, 
That you seek to kill my bonny bride 

And threaten my life, too." 

He caught her by her golden hair, 

And bore her to the shore. 
He bid farewell to the demon's glare 

While the demons turned to roar. 

"Young man, you have rightly won. 

She who is at your side, 
Such deeds are not often done:" 

The demons all replied. 

GIT CLOSE FUDDER. 

De longest pole may reach de spot, 
Whar de meller 'simmons are at, 

10 



But when dey fall upon de groun' 

Wid dat ar rousin spat, 
An' other mouths ar waterin' roun' 

Wid dat ar anxious shudder. 
Better drap dat pole an' shuffle up, 

A little close fudder. 

An' when you enter politics, 

An' hope ter win de race. 
An' de oposin* skemers ar warmin' up de 
chase, 

Don't stand around and criticise 
Your hustlin' brudder. 

Better quit dat talk an' shuffle up 
A little close fudder. 

If you spect to make a lfvin' out 

Of what de world do owe 
An' think annudder fellow will hoe out your 
weedy row, 

If dat your specerlation you're not 
Correct, my brudder, 

Take my advice, an' go to wuck, an' 
Git a little close fudder. 

An' when you meets de woman dats 

De dearest of your heart. 
An' dars annudder fellow dats got 

De upper start, 
Don't hang around de buildin' an 

Keep peepin' through the shutter, 
But enter into de parlor 

Git a little close fudder. 

DYING LIKE A MAN 

Ragged, besotted and foul he stood 

Behind the prison bars; 
•'Not Guilty," he said, with a wandering look, 

As he gazed out on the stars. 

Clang! Clang! Clang! Fire! Fire! Fire! 

Was heard far down the street; 
The terrible clamor of the fire-brigade 

Made many leap to their feet. 

The fire fiends danced upon the wall. 

Of that poor prison cell. 
The terrible shrieks from the jailor's wife 

Fell upon him with a spell. 

"All prisoners out!" the jailor cried, 

As he opened the prison door. 
"Hurry there men, or you will be too late, 

For the fire has reached the floor!" 

Two stories high the building stood, 

All wrapped in awful flames; 
It burnt like straw, the wind blew hard 

Against the quivering frames. 

11 



In a room above a baby slept, 

It was the jailor's child; 
The awful waii from its mother dear 

Caused the gathering crowd to go wild. 

"0 God, who will venture to save my child," 

The mother cried aloud. 
Too late! Too lata! the people said, 

As they watched the firey shroud, 

"Stop him! catch him!" a police said, 
As the tramp made to the door. 

To their surprise he rushed ahead, 
To the room on the second floor. 

'"Come back, the roof is falling in," 

He leaped upon the stairs 
And wrapped his coat about his head. 

As if to say his prayers. 

Breathless, bewildered the people stood, 
As he stumbled through the tire. 

"He's lost! Do help! The man has fell: 
No, he's up and going higher." 

He disappeared through an open hall, 

An eternity seemed to pasi — 
Back with the child in his arms; 

He rushed through the firey mass, 

He reached the landing of the stairs, 

And gazed upon the crowd. 
"Look out down there!" they heard him say, 

As through the flames he plowed. 

Down through that awful fire he came 

With the baby in his arms, 
And bore it to its anxious friends 

Without the least of harm. 

Reeling, tottering, dying he stood, 
While the crowd around him pour. 

"Here, take me back to the prison," he said, 
"For I can do no more." 

Sightless, blistered, all burnt to death; 

They bore his body away. 
"Water! Water! I'll die like a man" 

The tramp was heard to say. 

'Twas a Sabbath eve when they looked down 

Upon his open grave, 
And said he died like one of old 

That another might be saved, 



12 



PRESENT SENTIMENT, 

Keep your business under kiver. 

Is de sentiment of today; 
Split de truth when you tell it; 

Hide de udder half away. 
See no fault in de family 

Dat you highly call your own; 
Speak aloud against your neighbors 

Wid an under-after-tone, 

See no good except you do it 

Or your friends are in de push; 
Stop de wheel an* kill de business 

Send your 'ponents to de bush. 
When de world is goin' rightly. 

Sock your foot upon de wheel, 
Jist ter sho' de udder fello' 

How about de way yo' feel. 

Keep your eye upon de fashion, 

Suit de body to de style, 
Spend your money, every copper. 

Never mind de odder while, 
Pad it out and powder on it, 

Make de body look its best, 
Never mind de health dats failin' 

Keep a reveling wid de rest. 

Visit all de shows an' parties. 

Play de cards when you choose, 
Keep a step to all de music, 

Manufacture neighbor news: 
Keep de Bible as an album 

Sealed upon de center stand, 
Never have de time to read it. 

Keep a novel in your hand. 

Boss de preacher in de pulpit. 

Drop a bug into his ear, 
Let him know dat scripture fits you 

An' he must stir round it clear. 
If he fails to heed your warning. 

Keep de money in de sack 
Till he makes de alteration. 

Jist to git you comin' back. 

Dis de sentiment of de hour, 

Watch de chips whar dey fly. 
Split de truth when you tell it: 

Kiver up de naked lie. 
Be half-hearted have your pleasure, 

Never mind de judgment day. 
Dey will think you have gone to heaven 

If dey only hear you pray. 

But when life's fever is over. 

Will such action stand de test? 
When your soul is waftin" onward 

Will it find eternal rest? 
Keep de golden rule as ever. 

15 



For each link is in its place, 
Tell de truth when its needed 
Its salvation to de race. 



LET THE CROSS REMAIN 

Our Savior came to "-earth, sir. 

Two thousand years ago. 
Upon a cross at Calvery 
His precious blood did flow. 

The thorns that pierced his tender head 

Sent down a crimson rain 
That glorified our holy cross 

Forever to remain. 

He changed clear water into wine. 

And made the devils flee, 
And fed five thousand at one time. 

And calmed the roaring sea. 

He healed the sick and raised the dead. 

And made the deaf to hear, 
And caused the lame to leap for joy, 

And the dumb to speak out clear. 

While in the garden he did pray 

The bitter cup might pass; 
And Judas came and did portray 

Him to the cruel mass. 

They led Him to the judgment hall, 
And there His blood did flow, 

On Calvery, they nailed Him down 
To the rugged cross He bo'. 

see Him hanging on the cross! 

The blood is streaming down 
That you and I may not be lost. 

But wear a starry crown. 

You say you will not lend a hand 

To send this truth abroad. 
But when you die you hope to stand 

Near by the throne of God. 

He left a royal palace, friends. 

For a manger cold and dark. 
To give to us a better lens 

To view the gospel spark. 

He treaded the wine press all alone. 

He had a cross to bear, 
And for our sins he did atone. 

praise Him everywhere 

He sent the preacher out to preach 

A gospel that would save. 
And may this gospel ever reach 

To sweeten every grave. 



A hundred thousand praise His name, 

A hundred million more 
Will shout his praise with loud proclaim 

For the glorious cross He bore. 



HE'S BUT A THING, NOT A MAN 

The man that swears, smokes and chews 
And makes disturbances in the pews. 
Mistreats his mother and friends abuse, 
Wears tight-fitting garments and tooth- 
pick shoes. 
Is not the man for girls to choose. 
He'll aim to live by the slight of his hand. 
But the thinking world will understand 
He's but a thing and not a man. 

The man who struts from street to street, 
And smiles on every one he meets, • 
Who begs his chums to give him treat. 
And daily wants a like repeat- 
Is nothing but a silly beat. 
He is living by another hand; 
But the thinking world will understand - 
He's but a thing and not a man. 

The man who's never seen at work, 
And when at home he loves to shirk. 
When asked to help he acts a turk 
In showing how well he's learnt to jerk- - 
He's only fit for a bar room clerk. 
For there they'll make him understand 
By the rapid slight of a mighty hand 
He's but a thingand not a man. 

The man who fusses through the night. 
And keeps his folks in a terrible fright 
Because he knows he's on a tight, 
And hankers around to make a fight; 
He thinks he's acting out of sight 
When striking with a brutal hand. 
But the thinking world will understand 
He's but a thing and not a man. 

The man that prays a yard of prayers, 

And when at home he often swears. 

A different cloak he often wears. 

And visits all the shows and fairs 

When the church is under great repairs; 

Is classed amongthe former clan. 

He's but a thing and not a man. 

Throughout this broad and glorious land, 
Ye rising girls should understand 
Upon this principle true and grand. 
While all around is sinking sand. 
If watchful not your boat will strand: 
For the outward show is not the man, 

15 



WHEN DE FROST IS ON DE PUNKIN 

When de frost is on de punkin, 

An' de leaves dead on de vine, 
Den de rabit in de brier patch 

Am gittin mighty fine, 
An' de possum in de simmon tree 

Am grinnin' all de time. 
When de frost is on de punkin, 

An' de leaves dead on de vine. 

Den de quails begin ter scatter. 

An' flutter roun' de shock. 
An' de birds are flying southward 

As a mighty hasty flock, 
Kase dey read de natural signal 

Dat old winter is just behind. 
When de frost is on de punkin, 

An' de leaves dead on de vine. 

You may sit aroun' an' whistle 

An' level in de part, 
But old crimp win tuiely get >cu 

An' hold you mighty fast 
If you've only been a feastin, 

An' a foolin' away de time 
Befo' de frost was on de punkin, 

An' de leaves dead on de vine. 

Did you ever sit and shiver 

Wid a promise in your heart 
Dat if God would now forgive you 

You'd keep the human part? 
Kase you knowed your sumptuous livir,' 

During de pleasant summer time 
Makes you hate ter see de punkin. 

Wid de frost upon de vine, 

When you hear old crimp a whistlin' 

An' a-roarin' down de flue, 
When you know de fuel is wantin,' 

An' dars nothin' for a stew; 
Den you wish for de summer 

An' de blackberry time, 
When no frost is onde punkin 

An' de leaves dead on de vine. 



PEACE AND GOOD WILL. 

Peace and good wili. two angles bright, 
Left their homes of eternal delight, 
To bring good news to all on earth 
About the place of the Savior's birth. 

A company of angels followed them down 
From the gates of pearl to Bethelhem 

town. 
As they came sweet songs they sang. 
Throughout the world their music rang. 

Their hearts were swelled by the news 

16 



they bore, 
Such tidings never were borne before. 
They herald the news to the shepherd's 

fright, 
And broke the stillness of the night. 

Fear not, behold, good news we bring, 
Great joy for all in the songs we sing; 
For unto you a Savior is born, 
That brilliant star his cradle adorns. 

This day in the city of David you'll find, 
And this shall be the earthly sign, 
Lying in a manger, in swaddling clothes. 
You'll find the babe in sweet repose. 

Glory to God in the highest Amen, 
Peace on earth; good will to men. 
This is the song they sang as they flew, 
While sweetly kissed by the morning dew. 

Peace and good will on Christmas night 
Gomes again with great delight. 
Good will brings a merry-go-round 
For every child that can be found. 

Peace in return brings mercy to bear. 
So all may give and all may share 
Their goodly gains to the sick and poor. 
Thus spread sweet peace from door to 
door. 

SWEET LITTLE BIRDIES 

Sweet little birdies: 

How happy you must be, 
Living in a country 

Where nature makes you free; 
Singing songs of sweetness 

To gladden every heart; 
And your glorious simple notes 

We hope we'll ne'er depart. 

Sweet little birdies, 

0. will you tell 
Who taught you music! 

You sing so well; 
Who was your teacher? 

We'd like to know. 
And 0. we'd like to go to school, 

And learn the songs you know. 

Poor little birdies, 

Driven from your nest 
By a cruel laddie 

Who will not let you rest: 
Who, with a sling shot. 

Frightens you away, 
So he can get your little eggs 

You laid the other day. 

17 



Now, little laddies, 

How thoughtless you must be. 
To stone the little birdies 

That God has made so free, 
What would be the springtime 

If birdies were no more! 
And 0, my little cruel lad, 

Do think this o'er and o'er. 

Will you make a promise 

To treat the birdies well? 
Then you'll do your duty; 

To others simply tell, 
To give the birdies freedom 

You must let them haAe their way. 
And 0, the little frightened birdies 

Will have a happier day. 



BOYS THAT ARE WANTED 

Boys that are wanted are well reared 
boys 

With a kind heart, noble and true: 
Boys who will not play witn their toys 

When they have something better to do 

Boys that are wanted are honest boys 
That can he trusted in any place. 

Boys who will not let their joys 
Lead them to a linal disgrace. 

Boys that are wanted are truthful boys. 

Who will rightly say yes or no, 
And will not make unnecessary noise 

Especially in company, you know. 

Boys that are wanted are workirg boys, 
Who will willingly work on the taim. 

And will turn a hand to any employ 
Without snarling about the haim. 

Boys that are wanted are thoughtful boys 
Who will not dare to smcke or drink. 

All gaming houses greatly abhor 
For fear in such may sink. 

Boys that are wanted are great hearted 
boys 
Who are planning the government to 
take. 
And will rid it of its many decoys. 
And better laws create. 

Boys who believe in all seeing God 
And will spread it all over the land. 

And will lend a hand to the world's down 
trod. 
Such boys are in great demand. 

18 



IN GOD'S HOUSE 

Bellodono's heart was wicked, 
Wicked from the days of youth. 

For he loved to utter falsehood 
Better than to speak the truth. 

He hated law and envied order, 

Sought the bad and spurned the good. 

Knew no pity, courted evil 
Just as any demon would. 

He nursed the breast of a village scion, 
Learned to speak from a drunken sot: 

Lived in cellars, dens and garrets 
With the meanest of the lot. 

Heard no prayers, no songs of praises, 
No one sought to lead him right; 

Life to him was an endless cursing, 
Full of darkness, always night. 

In his heart of steely hardness 

Was one little shiny spot, 
That the sins of youth and manhood 

In their possession never got. 

This one spot was his salvation, 
Saved him from eternal woe. 

From the awful depths of misery. 
From the hell that is below. 

Listen how he was rescued; 

From the very prison walls. 
From the clan who taught him evil, 

And the devil's frequent calls. 

One cold night he saught for shelter 
From the constant stinging blast 

That was piercing every marrow, 
And every moment seemed his last. 

Thanks to God a door was opened; 

Into it the wanderer went, 
Crept along the aisles and benches. 

And his feeble body bent. 

Never stopped his weary footsteps 
'Till they pressed the sacred spot 

Where the priest oft knelt and offered 
Fervent prayers for such a blot. 

Warm and pleasant were the buildings; 

Soon he fell into a sleep, 
Never waking till the morning. 

As the dawn began to peep. 

As he 'rose he looked about him 
Seeing what his eye could see; 

As he gazed upon the Savior, 
Walking on the Gallilee. 



'•Where am I?" he spoke out loudly, 
"What does all this grandure mean? 

Never in all my daily wanderings 
Gazed upon such lovely scene." 

A hidden saint caught the echo 
That terrified the sainted house 

As he shouted back the answer 
"You are, sir, in God's house." 

Bellodono's heart was broken 

By that echo from the wall, 
"In God's house," he oft repeated 

As he fell a mighty fall. 

Priest and saint rallied around him 
As he struggled hard with sin 

Never ceasing till king Jesus 
Broke a flood of light within. 

"In God's house" he oft repeated, 

"1 am saved forever more." 
"In God's house," he whispered lowly 

As the angels his spirit bore. 

Then they bore away his body 

To a little lonely grave, 
And wrote upon his simple head stone 

"In God's house this one was saved." 
— o — 

THE GREEN MOB. 

Twas an afternoon, when a motly crowd, 

Stood gazing at a stranger 
Who stood aloft upon a round, 

Fearless of noise or danger. 
He had a paint brush in his hand. 

All filled with the deepest green: 
But as he reached to spread the paint 

His ladder was careen'. 

'Twas a burly dog that did the trick. 

Which gave the ladder a slide, 
Which made the painter unexpectingly take 

A very unpleasant ride. 
He flung the green paint at the dog. 

Which caught the laughing men; 
Just as they rushed to take revenge 

The bucket fell just then, 

The green paint plashed on nose and eyes. 

Their clothes were painted green. 
They were the madest greenish set 

That you had ever seen. 
The painter ran through an open door. 

And hid behind the counter, 
Just as he heard the Green Mob say: 

"Kill him! Yes, we are bound-ter." 

A yellow bearded, anxious man. 
20 



With green eyes, looking mean, 
Stoop down to strike— to his surprise 

His whisk' was painted green. 
"Come on," said the painter, "I've a dose 

For every one like that." 
"I've got mine," said a red-hot man, 

"Look at my Sunday hat." 

He made a lunge to pull the man 

Out from his hiding place. 
But his efforts failed and he fell back 

With green paint in his face. 
The green mob chased the painter out, 

Till he caught a moving car, 
He stood and waved his green paintbrush 

As he did behind the bar. 

He shouted back with a great delight; 

"Come on and get some more!" 
how he laughed, laughed and laughed, 

As the green mob stood and swore. 
A madder set you never saw, 

Marched back all painted green. 
They had their dose, he had his fun, 

They felt so greenish mean. 



HEROINE OF SILVER REEF 

The mining camp at Silver Reef 
Was shocked as ne'er before; 

The suction-rod had failed to work, 
And the mine was flooding o'er. 

"0 mother, dear!" a maiden said, 

"l hear a terrible roar." 
"Don't be alarmed, my daughter, dear, 

I have heard that roar before." 

"Oh! mother, dear, I cannot stay, 

1 hear an awful moan." 
"Go darling, go," the mother said, 

"And will you go alone?" 

The maiden reached the open shaft 
Where many stood and gazed; 

To see her look so eager on, 
They seemed to be amazed. 

Three times the signal bell was heard 

Down in that awful pit; 
"All hands pull up," her father said, 

"They will soon be out of it." 

But ah! alas! the cage caught fast 
In the murky dephths below, 

Who will venture to rescue them 
From such an awful woe? 

A terrible roar made many quake, 

21 



That shook the earth around. 

And followed by an awful crash 

Which silenced every sound. 

'All's lost! we are done!" the people said, 

And seemed to turn away— 
She caught the rope and cried aloud: 

'"Let go there! Let go. 1 say!" 

"Turn off that rope and let me down : 

I am not afraid to go: 
Faster! Oh faster, men! 

1 hear their groans below." 

"Let go the rope, now steady, men, 

1 fear this hopless task. 
It seems to me," the father said. 

"That this will be her last." 

Up came the cage with only two-- 

His daughter was not there. 
"You cowards!*' the father cried 

"Why leave her in despair." 

"She would not come," the men replied: 

The father said no more. 
"Pity, pity," the people said. 

As they heard another roar. 

"Lower the cage," her father said. 

"Let us save them if we car . ;" 
Another crash, a mighty roar 

Appeared to mock his plan. 

"Cheer up, men, keep turning on: 
There is yet some lingering hopes — 

Pull up! they come! Thank God-- 
They are clinging to the ropes." 

Another pull, they reached the top. 

She rescued all the men. 
Amid the cheers at Silver Reef, 

She was the heroine. 



UNCLE EPHRIAM'S MULE 

Out in de whip-poor will neighborhood 

Lives Uncle Ephriam Brown, 
Who has the terribles' little mule 

On all de "arth aroun*. 
Dat mule she has a million faults. 

And kickin' has no name: 
Yu pat her cheek or pinch her tail 

She kicks yu jist the same. 

Ter plow dat mule an' nuver sw'ar 
Twould take annudder Job: 

De Pope might try dat stubborn mule 
But his conscience would be prob, 

22 



I's tried old Beck, knows her tricks, 

She's a terrible botheration. 
My foolin, wid dat stubborn mule 

Destroyed my church relation. 

Befo' I sold that stubborn mule 

Ter Uncle Ephriam Brown 
I set my greatest zeal ter work 

Ter keep der sw'ar'in down 
I'd gone along till New Years Eve 

Widout aisw'arin' word, 
An' now begin ter praise myself-- 

But I felt a leetle skeered. 

Fer I had ter ride ter church dat night 

On dat presumptious mule 
An' things might take a sudden change. 

An' 1 would be de fool: 
So 1 rigged myself and started out 

Upon dat critter's back: 
She trotted along a mile or so 

Wid de easiest kind of a rack 

Butall at once she changed her mind 

An' concluded not ter go. 
An' stopped dead still in dat ar road 

As if there she aimed ter grow 
I coaxed an' reasoned wid der mule. 

Dat strangest of creation. 
Quick as a wink she humped herself 

An' changed my situation. 

Dat critter stood upon her head 

An' sent me wid a whirl 
Dat 'pears ter me dat I'd nuver Ian" 

On dis side of de worle: 
I picked myself up best I could 

From several places dar, 
An' squalled out wid all my might 

"You ainter goin' ter make me sw'ar." 

I frailed her up. an' frailed her down 

She nuver moved an inch: 
Dar came a risin' in my soul 

Ter cuss dat hateful winch. 
I held my bref wid all my might 

Till de tears filled my eyes. 
But bruthren. dars no use ter dodge aroun 
de pint. 

Dat cussin' had ter rise. 

It bursted out befo' I thought. 

An old time fashion cuss 
It will do dat mule till de judgement day. 

For dat was a scan'lous fuss. 
I nuver went ter meetin' dat night 

1 knowed dey h'ard me sw'ar. 
1 cripped out ter my old log hut 

An' left old Becky dar, 

23 



Old Beck stood dar wid her tail ttr de 
wood 
An' her head toward de town; 
She'd stood dar till de judgment day 

I'd nuver turned her 'roun'. 
De next time I ventured ter de chu'ch 

Dees feet ware on de ground, 
An' I sold dat aggervatin' mule 
To Uncle Ephriam Brown. 
— o — 
DAT OLE BANJO 

You may talk about your fiddle, 

An' de fine piano airs, 
An' de sweetness of de organ 

A rollin' down de stairs; 
For dey all seem as nuffin' 

When you h'ar Minerva's beau; 
Pickin' de ragtime music 

On de old banjo. 

You may try ter sit an' listen 

As quiet as you can, 
For some cause or ruther 

You cannot understan' 
Your foot will get ter prancin' 

When you h'ar Minerva's beau 
Pickin' dat ragtime music 

On de old banjo. 

If de elder or de bishop 

Should be listenin' ter de tune 
Do dey nuver two-step any 

Dey'll be waitin' bery soon 
For deirs no 'spects of persons 

When you h'ar Minerva's beau 
Pickin' dat ragtime music 

On dat old banjo. 

For it simply comes an' gits you 

An' stands you on your feet, 
An' steps you ter de music 

Befo' you find de seat, 
An' your soul goes waftin' onward 

When you h'ar Minerva's beau 
Pickin' dat ragtime music 

On de ©Id banjo. 

If you nuver been a dreamin' 

About de heavenly choir 
Whose music 'pears ter lift yer 

A little higher an' higher 
Den you'll understan' me fully 

When you h'ar Minerva's beau 
Pickin' dat ragtime music 

On de old banjo. 

Does Minerva trully love him. 
You ought ter be de gues' 

24 



An' view dat lubly couple 

Wid deir lips all a-press 
Den you'll h'ar some terrible playin' 

When Minerva lets him go 
Ter pickin' dat ragtime music 

On dat old banjo. 

For she faithfully sits and listens 

Wid her features beamin' bright; 
While her heart is fully breakin' 

Wid de pleasure of delight; 
For her soul is restin' easy 

When she listens ter her beau 
Pickin' dat ragtime music 

On dat old banjo. 

Dar's a sentiment gainst dis music 

Kase der is somethin in de tune 
Dat is charmin' all de nations 

From de moon until de moon, 
But when Gabriel soun's de trumpet; 

For de nation here belo' 
Dey'll be pickin' de ragtime music 

On de old banjo. 



UNCLE RUBEN'S PREDICAMENT 

Out in Squire Jones' garden spot, 

There were melons of many size. 
And every one who passed that way 

Were made to open their eyes. 
Uncle Ruben, the deacon of the church, 

Got an eye upon that patch, 
He struck his pipe upon the fence. 

And gave his head a scratch. 

Uncle Ruben was an honest man, 

No fault was found of him, 
But a lingering look at that melon patch 

Did almost make him sin. 
He entered the door of his humble cot 

With the melons upon his mind, 
And when the moon had hid herself 

He took a straight bee-lirte. 

Down through the orchard, over the fence 

He crept along the way 
Until he reached the melon patch 

That he had spied that day, 
Softly he climbed the pailing fence, 

And dropped into the field 
Just as he heard his conscience say 

"Ruben, would you steal?" 

Too late, the melons were in sight; 

He thumped upon one side. 
But when he aimed to cut the vine, 

His eyes poped open wide; 
He heard a noise in front of him. 



25 



To run he could not do. 
How could he stand to be thus caught 
When the neighbors thought him true. 

If the earth had opened upon the spot; 

how he would rejoice. 

To his surprise, his head was touched, 

And followed by a voice: 
Well deacon Ruben, who would've thought. 

That you were out here stealin' *' 
"You look h'ar Alex, I's done no harm 

I's only out h'r feel'n,' " 

"I's got che'!" Ruben, I's got che shoor! 

Out h'ar tryin' ter steal 'em. 
I's gwine ter tell"— "0 don't Mister Alex., 

1 come yere jes' ter feel 'em. 
Mister Alex, you axed me for datgal. 

You can hab her dis very evenin'. 
Don't say a word — 1 tells de troof. 
I's only out h'ar feelin'." 

They left the watermelon patch 

Without a single one, 
Alex promised that he'd never tell 

What Uncle Ruben done. 
Next morning deacon Ruben passed 

Squire Jone's melon patch 
And when he saw the Squire's face 

He had his head to scratch. 

"Good morning, Ruben." the Squire said, 

"Is this your pocket knife?" 
"No sah! Squire, dats none of mine, 

I left her wid my wife " 
Go long. Ruben, you know thi knife, 

Now be honest can't you tell? 
I found it in my melon patch." 
"Watah mellun patch!" the deacon yelled. 

Yes. Ruben, in my melon patch 

Close by some terrible tracks. 
If you'll tell me who dropped it there. 

You may go and fill them sacks. 
Nieter say who belong ter dish he'r knife. 

Squire I don't know w'ar you're at: 
To tell who b'long ter dish her knife. 

I can hardily tell you dat." 

"Is he a friend of yours Ruben." 

Said he with a solem look 
Now Ruben, remember what you teach 

From the blessed holy book 
"Yes sah," said Ruben when he spoke. 

"I's gwine to tell de troof. 
Who b'longs ter dish yer knife! 

It b'longs ter mister Hoof." 



26 



•Who in the nation is Mister Hoof?" 

Cried Squire in an awful rage. 
"He's a nigger, sah, said Uncle Rub, 

Dat wuks for Mister Gage. 
He libs way up on Pigeon Creek, 

Close by dat field or corn. 
You go up dar, you'll find him dar 

Yes, shoor dis critter am born. 



BRUDDER JOSIAH'S PRAYER 

Lord you kno' dat dis am de century's 
close, 

An' de nineteenth one at dat, 
I bow down on my bin-de-cayin' knees 

To sho' you whar 1 am at. 
1's been wurkin" de bes I can 

Fhru' out dis prosperous year— 
Oh! forgive your servant if he 'tempt 

To do some dancin' here. 

King David you know, war a man of your 
heart 

He cut dat pigeon wing 
When he heard de harp an' sacubus play 

An' all dem people sing. 
We haven't de harp or Sacubus. Lord, 

Butde fiddle it am h'ar: 
If you stand aside. I'll show you how 

To cut dat wing in de clear. 

Brudder Job, you kno' was de meekest 
man, 

Daniel came thru' de fiery furnace. 
De Hebrew children war in de lions den; 

De lions didn't bite nor de fire burnest. 
Dis child of yourn, been all about dar. 

Been thru dem fiery places, 
Been shuffin' dees feet of mine 

Into dem heavenly traces. 

But dis Christmas, Lord, you know how 1 

feel 
'Bout dis drinking of de wine: 
Brudder Paul advised it— Brudder Paul 
war right. 
For it helps my stomach every time 
Lord, when l's wound up dis ball of trouble 

An' drank down dis jug of wine. 
Please take dis child in your favor agin 
Adder dis here Christmas time. 

Please remember de paster, an' his lubbly 
wife. 
Give him souls for de hi-er; 
Send down de shower of de Holy Ghost 



27 



An' de songs of de heavenly choir; 
Don't think me aggrevating, Lord 

An' hankerin' adder sin; 
I'm your same Josiah cushed foot child 

Forever, an' ever a-men. 



DAR'S BEEN A MIGHTY CHANGE. 
— o — 

Jes shovel up dem ashes dar, and draw 

Your chain up nigher, 
An' watch dat coon a cookin' in de oven 

By de fire. 
Don't let dem sweet 'taters burn, for de 

Fire am gittin' hot, 
Dem are de balance of my crap and' de 

Only ones I'm got. 
Lem me take a drink of dat ar' gin to 

Make my feelin's flow. 
An' I'll spin you out a fac' or two of 

Things you ought to know. 

Now in de centuries of de past dar's been 

A mighty change; 
From de cookin' in de embers to de bakin' 

In de range, 
De people used to travel wid de sand — 

Also on dar feet; 
But now dey ride on 'lectric cars a 

Fyin' fru de street. 
On bareback an' de saddle de people 

made dar way: 
But de bikes an' de motor chines ar' de 

Travel of de day. 

De whisperin' an' de speakin' were de 

Only talkin' known. 
But now dey ar' speculatin' fru a 

Tenible telephone. 
D3 womin ussd to war dar dress a 

Sweipin' of de ground. 
Wide! de hoops a spreadin' out de tail 

Like a funnel all around: 
But now de ar' makin' b'oomers wid 

A little short about 
Dat ma'(ps men f.°el a litt'e shame 

To see dem walkin' out, 

De preacher wasde b ; ggest dat wore 

D3 meekest look. 
An' did de loudes' bargin' on de kiver 

Of de book, 
An' did de loudes' hollowerin' an' 

Drawn' of de bref. 
But dat kind of augumation war 

Only made of self 
Dar were heaps an' lots of shoutin' befo 



28 



De meetin' were out, 
But de two-steps an' de cake-walks 
Am cuttin' of de shout. 

Dar's a change in de people ebery 
Whar you can look, 

Dat is fillin' of de promise in de 
Blessed Holy Book; 

Butde day am shorely comin' when 
Dar will be ates', 

Whether, two-steppin' or de shoutin' 
Have prove' to be the bes,' 

When Gabriel takes dat trumpet, 
An' makes dat mighty sound 

Whar will de cake-walks and two- 
Steppers be found? 



MIJAH'S TURKEY. 

Law! Mi,'ah boy whar have you been 

A saunterin,' an' foolin' about 
While your poor old mamy is wurkin' to 
kill; 

Her bery soul and fingers out. 
Don't say nuffin' ter me, you honorary 
brat, 

Awder you stay away all day. 
You need't to tell whar you been, 

Not a word do I want you ter say. 

How, can you spect, de Lord ter take, 

You thru' dem golden gates of pearl. 
An you trapping around on de Lord's day, 

Jist de same he wasn't in de world. 
De Lord sees you, Mijah — Him eyes am 
big. 

Dey are psepin' in ebery place, 
I am ashamed of you. de Lord's shamed 
of you. 

Dat you belong to the human race. 

Yu' younger niggers arn't wuf de salt 

Dat goes in your daily bread. 
We may pray an' talk and talk and pray 

But nuffin still in your head. 
What I saunt yu' ter de day school fur 

If yu gwinter larn no sense? 
Come har, I tell you, Josephus Mijah, 

An' get down offer dat fence. 

1 greater mind strip yu naked as a tarpin; 

Take off dem Sunday pants, 
I'll sho' yu how to gallop around' 

Den come har wid your cant's. 
What's in dat sack, yu lazy scamp. 

Been out dar trying to steal? 
1 saw you slippin' out dar by de fence 

Inside of de Jones field. 



29 



I's gwine look an see — Law honey chile, 

Done gone an' caught a turkey hen, 
Is she tied Mijah, mamy's blessed boy; 

Bring dat Thanksgiving turkey in 
Your old mamy do lub her son, 

Yu de chip of de same old block, 
Your mamy wouldn't cared if you'd staid 
all day, 

An caught de whole balance of de flock. 

WHY THE ROOSTER CROWS 

AT DAWN OF DAY. 

In the foreign land of the May-be-soes 

Chief wake-up sat all night 
To catch the first glimpse of the sun — 

He shouted with delight; 
A cock-a-doodle-doo-o-o-o! 

The other wake-ups caught the sound 
Stood up and clapped their sides, 

And shouted to their chiefs delight 
Throughout their country wide 

A cock-a-doodle-doo-o-o o! 

The wake-up people didn't know 
The laws which ruled the sun, 

And o'er this mighty ignorance 
A terrible spute begun 

About the cock-a-doodle-doo-o-o-o! 

This reached the palace of the king 

And made him to decree 
That all the wake-ups in the land 

Should come and make their plea 
About the cock-a-doodle-doo-o-o-o! 

Their plea was this, in some the land. 

The wake-ups were behind, 
In other parts some had the start 

And were ahead of time 
With their cock-a-doodle-doo-o-o-o! 

This puzzled the king, he wondered why 

They couidn't doodle ri^ht 
This simple cry, throughout the land. 

From dark to early light — 
Their cock-a-doodle-do-o-o-o! 

The puzzled king of the May-be-boes, 

Deeded on this wise. 
That all the wake-ups in the land 

Must shout from early rise 
Their cock-a-doodle-doo-o-o-o-! 

From then, till now, the chanticleer 

Stands tip-toed on the fence. 
And crows aloud from morn till night 

As if he had no sense 
His cock-a-doodle-doo-o-o o! 



50 



THE WIDOW BROOKS. 

'Twas the widow Brooks who lived alone 

For many aweary year; 
In an humble cot— all of her own, 

Without the least of fear, 
From morn till night, her shuttle flew, 

Her weaving - was the best; 
Thus plenty work, she had to do, 

And oft' she sighed for rest. 

Her health was good, her nerves were 
strong — 

It surprised the widow so; 
Why she couldn't rest and sleep as long 

As she had years ago. 
The secret was, the Parson came, 

One pleasant afternoon, 
And talked to change, the widow's name 

And hoped to do so soon. 

The trouble was the neighbor's talk 

Bore much upon her mind, 
How, could she stand, to toe the chalk 

As she did in her prime. 
To face the church and the motly crowd; 

The thoughts did make her quake; 
But oft' she laughed aud said aloud— 

"I know it will take the cake." 

Well, any how I've promised him 

I guess' it will be no harm, 
But, it seems so strange — Oh' its a sin. 

For me to be so charm. 
Between you and me and the old gate 
post. 

To say 1 love him— well, I say almost — 
Yes, 1 think he'll do to try." 

Twas a Sabbath eve. when the preacher 
spoke, 

"We'll have a sacred weddin'." 
The people thought, it was a joke 

Until the bride was led in. 
All curled and powdered-she looked her 
best. 

As she leaned upon his arm. 
He stumbled and stepped upon her dress, 

That caused a great alarm. 

And while they stood as once before 

To take the solemn pledge; 
The people crowded in the door. 

As tight, as they could wedge. 
They stood the test as best they could 

As they were thus. — attack'. 
Many said, as they all should, 

"That is a splendid match." 



51 



THREE HEROES. 

Geo. Washington 
When the hand of foreign powers 

Stretched with evil o'er the land, — 
God of heaven saw the ruin, 

Sent a Michael to command, — 
Sent him down to Old Mount Vernon 

There to choose a Washington, 

Who could lead and train the people 

How to use the "minute gun." 

First in war, this mighty chieftain, 

First in peace, he chose to stand, 
First in the heart of all the people 
Father of his native land. 

Abe Lincoln 
When the mighty curse of thralldom 

Held aloft its evil hand- 
God of heaven saw the ruin, 

Sent a Michael to command, — 
Sent him to an humble cottage, 
Far out on the Western plain; 
There he found our noble Lincoln; 
Strong and pure, without a stain. 

''Charity for all," — he cried out boldly 
•'Malice for none,"— he did proclaim 
Then he wrote the Emancipation, 
And gave his life in Freedom's 
name. 

Booker T. Washington 
When our nation, steeped in ignorance. 

And criticized on every hand, — 
God of heaven saw the evil, 

Sent a Michael to command, — 
Sent him to a southern cabin 

Amidst the cotton and the corn 
There he found another hero. 

Lowest among the heroes born 
Led him forth to blessed Hampton, 

In the early days of youth, 
There he learned to know his people. 
As he faced the open truth, 
Like a meteor, he has risen. 

Far above his fellows, all, 
May this champion of the nation 
Never let his greatness fall. 



LITTLE BEAUTY BLOSSOM. 

Little Beauty Blossom, 

Only eight years old, 
Cheeks like the roses, 

Tinted with the gold, 



32 



Eyes like the diamonds, 

Twinkling like a star; 
As she gazes upward 

Toward the gates ajar. 

Thinking of her mother; 

Robed in spotless white, 
And the little angels 

Flying in delight, 
Listening to the voices. 

That she thinks she hears 
While her eyes of sadness 

Burst forth in tears. 

Dreaming of the future. 

She leans upon the gate; 
Waiting for her papa 

Who unusually is so late; 
Thoughtless of the demon, 

Lurking in the wood; 
You would run Beauty Blossom 

If you understood. 

Softly he steal upon her, 

And wraps her in his coat, 
Rushes for the horses 

Standing by the moat; 
Speeds as the lightning 

To a robbers den; 
Places Beauty Blossom 

Amidst the cruel men. 

Trembling, as a leaflet. 

Upon a tiny twig; 
Stood Beauty Blossom 

Near a lily sprig; 
Then she thought of Jesus 

Preaching to the poor. 
And the thorns and curses 

Which he humbly bore. 

Waiting ne'r a moment, 

She dropped upon her knees; 
Telephoned to Jesus. 

To deliver all of these; 
The answer met the messenger 

The kidnappers gave away 
Tney took her back to papa 

Before the break of day. 
— o — 

A WIDOWS THANKS- 
GIVING DINNER. 

The eve before Thanksgiving Day, 

A widow old and poor, 
A bundle of clothes upon her back; 

Passed by Aunt Dorcas' door^ 
"I pity the dinner she will have," 



33 



Said Aunty, as she passed, 
With six to feed— no one to help 
Tis a dreadful, dreadful task." 

Two little boys heard her words. 

And began to plan a way, 
"How they might kill a turkey wild 

For her Thanksgiving Day, 
"Out in the woods, back of the fence, 

Are pienty of them, said Win, 
"Well take our bows, arrows, "said Lem, 

And try to bring one in." 

Aunt Dorcas laughed to hear them say, 

What they had in their mind, 
"Go my boys into the woods," said she, 

"Kill all that you can find." 
With bows and arrows, away they went. 

As happy as two could be; 
No other thought had they in mind, 

But to kill a wild turkey. 

"Back of Squire Parson's orchard lot," 

Said Lem with a smiling face, 
"There, we can find some turkeys sure, 

Its certainly a turkey place." 
Just, as they crossed, the garden spot, 

And to their great surprise, 
There, in an old elm tree, 

Were turkeys of many size. 

They heard a chut! chut! quit! quit 

Gobble! gobble! gobble! on the vary 
lowest limbs. 
"There, thats the biggest, said they, 

"We'll take a pop at him." 
Softly the crept up nearer the fence 

All ready to take a shot. 
'Let's try that fellow sitting there 

The biggest of the lot." 

Twang! Twang! went the bow-strings 

As the arrows flew away : 
Down dropped the big old turkey gob 

As Winnie cried "Hooray!" 
"What will aunt and grandma say," 

Said Lemma, when he spoke 
"He's a banner! Aren't he Win? 

It's certainly no joke. 

"For the land of living sakes!\ cried Aunt 

As she placed the steaming cobbler. 
Mother! mother! these boys have gone, 

And killed Squire Parsons gobbler." 
Win looked at Lem, Lem looked at him, 

And hung their guilty head 
"We only did as you told us to do," 

The turkey killers said. 



34 



Yes. I never thought said Aunty low 

About Squire Parson's flock 
But you've gone and certainly killed 

The finest of his stock 
Well, what will Squire Parson say 

When he knows what you have done 
I'd never thought such little boys 

Could killed without a gun, 

'To mend the matter," said good aunt. 

"Well take the turkey home." 
"No!" said grandma "W'll be better done. 

To let them go alone. 
Tc's more your fault than theirs," she said 

As they picked the gobbler up, 
And started for the squire's house 

1 o make the matter up. 

They told the story as best they could 

Why they brought the turkey dead — 
Behold when they looked around, 

The gobbler raised his head. 
Over he rolled and up he jumped, 

While they were all amazed; 
"Gobble! gobble! gobble! the turkey, said, 

As they stood there and gazed. 

"Well, boys," said Parsons, "that's mighty 
strange," 

"That's certainly is a winner; 
You go on home, I'll see to it, 

That the widow gets a dinner. 
A happier pair, you'd never see 

Went laughing along the way. 
Thinking how the widow would feel 

On that Thanksgiving Day. 

— o 

WHY DE DEVIL AM LEFT HANDED 
Thousand an' thousand of years ago 

Dar war a terrible winter, 
De cold, it spread, an' spead an' spread. 

Till de very hell — did enter. 
De Devil's lungs war frozen ter frost, 

An his brains wer' like de icicle; 
Shoor as you're born dat war one time 

Dat de devil war in a pickle. 

He sarched de infernal reguns round. 

In vain ter find de warm, 
Dat war de only time you know, 

Dat he could do no harm. 
De devil war forced ter leave dat place, 

An' seek dis mundine shore; 
But de fire of dis sunlit 'arth, 

Jes freeze him more and more. 

While wanderin' o'er dees chilly plains, 
He found two frozen forms; 



35 



'Twas a woman wid her baby child 
Hug closed between her arms. 

He felt de warmness from her breast 
Dat thawed his frozen heart, 

Dat caused his brains to loosen up 
Thru-out its icy parts. 

Dar war one troof de devil i'arnt 

Dat he will never forgit, 
Dat de woman's heart is always warm, 

To dem who are uear ter it, 
Mr. Death, he came an' pushed aside, 

De devil like a straw, 
An' snatched de soul of de woman up 

From under his paw. 

De devil looked upon de child 

Dat war lyin' dar alive, 
An' de warmth dat de mother left 

Would help it ter survive. 
De devil reason' wid himself — 

What ter do he could not tell. 
To leave it dar — dat wouldn't do, 

An' it war too pure for hell. 

He soon agreed ter stay wid it, 

An' blacken its little soul 
By teachin' it ter do de things 

Dat would fit it for his told. 
He built a cabin in which ter live; 

Whar he hoped ter fix it' fate; 
But ah! Alas! when he war out 

Death came an' changed its state. 

On hir return, a bain' said, 

"0 father follow me. 
De devil followed — he couldn't tell — 

He war weak, as weak, could be. 
Dey travel up ter de pearly gates 

Dat always stands ajar. 
Dey shut de gate against his hand, 

An' made him see de stars. 

He finally clawed himself aloose, 

An' hurried down de way; 
Wid a cripple' right, only a left ter use, 

Up ter ais very aay. 
But wid dat left he makes it hot; 

For preachers priest and sinner; 
If watchful not. wid an' upper-cut, 

He'll declar' himself de winner. 



THE WOMAN BEHIND THE TUB 

There have been a deal of writing about 

the man behind the gun, 
And the people praise him highly for the 

noble deeds he's done: 



36 



But there's another to be mentioned that's 
the woman behind the tub, 

Who, with only one in company must con- 
tinue a constant rub. 

Though, the day be cold or burning and 

the clothes on baskets high, 
And the young ones are a fretting about 

another piece of pie; 
She must face the opposition, though, her 

strength is on decline. 
And continue the daily battle till the 

clothes are on the line. 

If she falls while in the struggle this 

battle with the dirt: 
There will be, no pomp and splendor, to 

represent her work. 
Though, upon the noble rulers and the 

honored of the land; 
You can find the splendid touchings and 

the labor of her hand. 

Send the woman, from the laundry, put 
the man behind the tub. 

Then there'll be a Labor's Union in pro- 
tection of the rub. 

And a strike will be fore-ordered, then 
the dirt will pile up high, 

And among the noble women there will 
be an awful cry. 

We must make a quick redemption, or 

our clothes will go to ruin: 
For its like the Labor's Union to keep up a 

constant brewin. 
Send the woman from the keep, parlor 

the man behind the plow. 
Give the woman some the honor, that the 

men are reaping now. 

Then the question will be settled who's 

the greatest in in the strife; 
Then the glory of the husband will be 

equal to the wife's, 
When the struggles all are over, then the 

records will reveal 
That the labor of the woman was to main 

as true as steel. 

DE PEOPLE EAT TOO MUCH I 

If you think about dis eatin' compared 

wid olden time': 
You will certainly diskiver dat eight^aifi^s 

out of nine; •' "S ; J 

Dat de present generation, manyi ®&vQs 

are as such: -;9voM 



57 



Dey need a terrible rakin', 'bout dis eatin' 
of too much. 

Jes think of what we are eatin' an' de 

drinks we are swallow'in' down, 
If all cut loose together dis nation would 

be drown. 
From every whar we are fetchin' de 

fruits dat we can clutch; 
Dat helps to make dis nation, keep eatin' 

of too much. 

Did you uvery see de picture of dem old 

patriocks? 
How swell heads an' de bellies de big 

eyes and de such; 
All de troof of de suspicion, dat dis nation 
eats to much. 

De Savior lived on fishes an' little loaves 

of bread; 
He had no indigestion nor aching in de 

head. 
War can you find de people dat der 

stomach's do not ache; 
Dat partde time dey ought ter sleep, dey 

lay a-bed awake. 

In de day of Brudder Noah, look how 
long de people live"; 

Dey believe in a common livin' an' na- 
tures food dey give. 

De bon-bons an' de candies, de jellies an' 
de pies. 

Are hasten on dis nation, whar de other 
nations lies. 

— o — 

WHAT IS IT? 

Sweet, as a bunch of roses, 

Plucked by a lover's hand. — ■ 
Sleeps when night time closes, 

Wakes at its command, 

Sings, when there is sorrows. 
Laughs, when others weeps, — 

Lends, but never borrows. 
Runs, but never creeps. 

Sighs, when there is gladness, 

Plays, when there is work, — 
Smiles, in time of madness, 

Pulls, when others shirk. 

Flies, just like a feather, 

Lights upon a hill. — 
Goes, in foulefet weather. 

Moves, when all is still. 



38 



Dies, just as the day ligh'; 

When its work is done, 
Finds no rest at midnight, 

Seeks to findeth none. 

THAT'S MOTHER 

Say kind stranger, if e'r you meet 
In the city full, or on village street, 

A woman, kind and sweet to behold, 
Who offers you lodging, free of gold, — 
That's mother. 

If she smiles on you with a loving grace 

That makes you think of another face, 
And talks of the weather and signs of the 
time 
My aunts and uncles, clear down the 
line. — 

That's mother. 

If she shows you around from house to 
barn. 
From making of the butter, to spinning 
of yarn. 
And talks of the men far down in the 
field 
The cattle and crops and what they'll 
yield, — 

That's mother. 

If she sets you down to a dainty fare 
Of the many good things, that seems so 
rare, 
And says 'kind sir just help yourself 
There's plenty more upon the shelf,"— 
That's mother. 

If she ceases to smile and drops her head 
And where there were smiles are tears 
instead. 
And gets the album and shows a face, 
Then leaves the room for her weeping 
place. 

That's mother. 

Be patient, kind sir, she's thinking of me, 

And the dear little one that used to be. — 

If she hands you a Bible that's good and 

brown 

With covers worn and leaves turned 

down, — 

That's mother. 

If she puts you to bed with a motherly 
hand 
And tucks the covers— you understand. 
And bows and pats the pillow for you 
instead — 

That's mother. 



39 



Say stranger, if I should chance to be 
The last leaf on the family tree; 

It is what I always wish to be, 
I'd cut on marble where all could 
"That's mother.'' 

LABOR OMNIA VINCIT 

Union men, with right emotions, 
Began climbing of the heights, 

Of the Alps of opposition. 
That opposed their legal rights. 

Mighty heights to be surmounted, 
Mighty chasms across their way; 

But they keep toiling upward, 
As they labor day by day. 

Though the glacier threaten danger. 

Avalanches around them roll; 
They keep onward, upward, onward. 

Toward the Union's goal. 

Darkness sometimes over shadows: 
But they see a beacon light — 

Blazing rays of Unionism 
Keeps their pathway bright 

Though the lion of vile injunctions 
Chased them to the very wall; 

They move onward, planting banners 
"Labor conquers all." 



LABOR MILLENNIUM. 

He paused to think of the future. 

And the changes to be revealed. 
When a common, honest, work-man 

Will be exalted in the field. 

When the fate of gone by centuries 
Will be lifted from the brow. 

And the wise-hearted hoe-man 
Will rank as kings do now 

When labor will be exalted. 

From the fields to the palace gate, 
And a-wise-wortby-hoe-man 

Will sit in royal estate. 

When man's a man for all that 

Regardless of his toil; 
Whether in the shop or on the throne. 

Or hoeing the common soil. 

When the truth taught by Jesus 
Shall awaken every heart; 

Then the poor man and the rich man 
Will share an equal part. 



>t° 



MOSQUITO BILL 

A mosquito will present his bill, 
Wherever, he has a chance to fill, 

On the neck, back or pate; 

He doesn't care, so he gets a bait. 

His bill is sharp keen and long. 

And as he comes, he sings a song, 
You may slap him off with a sudden 
shoo! 

If you let him light, he'll stick it to you. 



GETTIN' READY. 

Down by the Sweet Briar Gulch, 

Whar de tracks of de 'possum am seen, 
Whar de steel trap am set for de mus' 
rat, t 

An' de persimmons are gittin mighty 
lean, 
Dar de tracks of de rabit am plenty. 

An' de foot prints of de coon am der. 
An' de hickery nuts an' de chickpins 

Are scattered aroun' uvery whar. 

Dar de squirrels are sittin' in de tree top 

A shakin' of his bushy tail 
While he's puttin aloose der scaly barks 

Dat's fallirf on deleaves like hail. 
While de chickmonks an' de ground hogs 

Are renewin' of their holes in de ground. 

Dar' the woods am gittin' mighty nakes 
An' de leaves am fightin' for de place 

While de birds am gatherin' in do tree 
tops 
Preparin' to make a mighty race. 

De a\ is cryin' in de clearin', 

An' de hand is haulin' up de wood; 

For de time an' de signs of de seasons 
Are sartinly.bein' understood. 

De women am bustlin' in de kitchen 

Wid de jelly an' de pumpkin pies 
An' de bread is workin' for a rise: 

While de sorghum is stuin' in ter lasses, 
De yellow yams am smillin' in de 
basket. 

An' de cushshews am lookin' mighty 
sweet 
De turkey am strutin' in de barn yard 

Jist a spilin' for some one ter eat. 
De ducks an' de geese are a cacklin'. 

De pigs am squeelin' in de pen 
An' de way de things am gittin' 



41 



Is enough ter make a fellow grin 
Ter think of de chickens an' de turkies 

De 'possums an' de pumpkin pies, 
Dat are gittin' ready for de stomach 

Right under a fellows eyes. 

TWIXT THE CUP AND THE LIP 

Rosiana was a perfect beauty, jist as kind 

dat natyur makes; 
Full of sweetness an' jestric graces, jist 

de kind dat always takes, 
Temper sweet an eyes so lovely, strikes a 

feller like a dart, 
Never ceasin' goes right thru him, pierce 

his very nature heart. 

Not de kind dats manufactured, powered 

up ter suit de taste, 
Paint deception, padded inembers, jist a 

wigglin' from de waiste, 
No. indeed, she all was natural from de 

head down ter de foot. 
An' her lips were like de apples dat are 

spilin' wid de sweet. 

She was mooed an' wed by Mathan, fair, 

an' honest as de day; 
But his business situation kept him half 

de time away. 
Dis yere stayin' out till midnight didn't 

suit Rosiana weeks; 
For she cried an' stewed about it more 

than a couple weeks, 

A weakened heart is easily conquered. 

den de divil seeks his time. 
Storms de fort, takes possession, eight 

chances out of nine. 
So it was wid Rosiana by de stealth of 

Amos Wise, 
Lead ter speak against her husband as 

her temper seemed ter rise.- 

Guiled, persuaded, she aimes ter leave 

without a single word; 
Took de carriage, rode beside him. as he 

told what he had heard; 
Then she smiled, he stooped ter kiss her, 

but de Poodle interferes, 
Bit his nose, scratched his features, made 

him feel a leetle skeered. 

"Blast dat dog, thunderation! what de 

duce does he mean." 
Cried out Amos, vehemently as he took a 

different lean. 
"Throw dat critter out de window !' r 



42 



Look see! what he has done. 
0. no, Amos, he couldn't hurt you he's 
only havin' fun. 

Woman, dare you cross my wishes, throw 

dat dog into de slough 
If you fail ter heed my warnin' I'll make 

it warm for you 
Oh! Amos 1 left my diamond, turn aroun' 

and take me back 
Hurry up before he gets there an' is on 

our very track. 

Amos took her ter de villians, help her in 

de parlor door, 
Dar he stood an' sighed an' waited, but 

she came out no more. 
Den he wandered what had happened as 

he shivered wid de grip. 
"Go home Amos said a whisper only a 

slip twixt de cup an' de lip." 



O HALLOWEEN ! 

0. halloween, well you tell, 

Where we can find our true love? 

Are we to live, as poor old maids. 
That sits and coos as a lonely dove? 

Speak, Halloween of the charms that we 
love. 

0, ladies fair, list unto me, 

I'll teach you how to find your love. 

Go to the grave, at midnight hour. 
And pluck a rose, coo like a dove, 
On your return you'll meet your love. 

Go roast an egg and if it sweats. 

A cat will come and turn it o'er. 
Your lo ve will come all dressed in white. 

And he will knock at the kitchen door, 
And as he talks you'll love him more and 
more. 

Go get some salt, in a silver spoon, 
And glasses three with water fill; 

Then pump them o'er with spoon in hand 
Your love will come if none you spill. 

Go to field at the midnight hour, 

And steal a head of cabbage green, 
And on your way back to the house 
You'll find your love this Halloween! ! 
— o— 

"DATOILIO." 

'Randa. take off dat ar waterfall. 



43 



An' leetle bunch of hair, 
An' take your seat up close ter me 

In dat ar rockin' chair; 
I's tired lookin' at demar kinks 

A twistin' an' curlin' aroun', 
When dis Oilio will start dem out 

And growin' toward de groun'. 

Hear, take dat box, an' grease dem knots 

Till day take annudder start; 
For i's faith in datOilio 

Wid all my honest heart. 
De good Lord, He instruct de man 

Ter make aat Oilio 
Or he couldn't do it, jis' sho's you're 
born, 

Dat h'ar would never grow, 

If you fails ter use it, whose de blame 

For dis kinky, 'notty h'ar; 
For dis short, nappy, stubborn wool, 

Dat stands out in de air. 
I's tired h'arin' dem ar cards 

Ar rakin' thru' de wool 
Dat makes dem chilun pull an cry 

Until dar eyes are full. 

Dis Oilio I've faith in it, 

I like its bery name: 
Its got de sent, dat suits de smell, 

An' de coior all de same. 
It stops de h'ar from turnin' gray. 

An' itchin' at de roots, 
An' kills de dandy-rufrin' tree 

So it can b'ar no fruits. 

— o— 
NO KICK A-COMIJNG. 

When de world don't go to suit you. 

An' yourrashin gittin' slim — 
When de wolf of de starvation 

I's appioachin' wid a grin 
When you know de situation 

Is your own an' not of him 
Dar should be no kick a-comin'. 

When you chance your hard earn money 

Upon a game or trust 
When you know, you've got your money 

By working as you must 
When de game is fairly over 

An' you lose your hard earned "dust." 
Dar should be no kick a-comin". 

Wnen you are in an argumation, 

An' fail ter see de pint 
An' your skillful, wily ponent 

Knocks your reasons out of jint 

L.ofC. 

44 



When you go away defeated 

An' your neighbor's disappoint 
Dar should be no kick a comin'. 

When your wife cease to love you 

An' annudder re-instate 
Kase you won't come early 

But keep stayin' out so late; 
When you know dar is a reason 

You want tell any rate 
Dar should be no kick a-comin'. 

When de preacher at de meeting 

Seems to hit you on de spot 
An' de sermon shorly fits you 

An' he makes you mighty hot 
When you know de gospel spankin' 

Is what you ought of got, 
Dar should be no kick a-comin' 

When you wake up at de judgement 
By de second trumpet sound 

An' de gospel train has left you 
A tremlin' on de ground 

When you seeks de hills an' mountains 
An' no hidin can be found — 

Dar should be no kick a-comin'. 



EASTER SONG. 

Easter 'tis of thee 
Sweet day ot jubilee. 

And worshiping; 
Day when our Lord arose! 
Type of the souls repose! 
Blest at creation close 

Of thee we sing; 

Thy coming stir the soul. 
To think of One of old 

Who arose this day. 
Thou who didst heal the blind. 
Change water into wine 
Fed thousands at one time 

To thee we pray! 

Thou Savior, full of love 
Thou left thy throne above 

To come to earth! 
That we might have the light. 
To guide our feet aright, 
Through earth's dark path of night 

Wa praise thy birth 

0. Savior 'tis of thee 
Thou cheif of liberty. 

Thy name we praise. 
We know how thou didst die; 



45 



We know thy soul was tried 
Now in our christian pride 
Our voices raise. 

Plumed knight of earth and sky, 
Yet in a gave didst lie; 

Though not alone, 
Two angels robed in white 
Watched through the dreary night, 
At this days dawn of light, 

Rolled away the stone, 

Indeed, He's risen now, 
To Him we pay our vow 

By this we say! 
May we like Him arise: 
From earth to Paradise, 
And live beyond the skies 

Through an endless day! 



DE FALL OF DE YEAR 

You may hanker 'bout de glories of de 
springtime 

When Old Nature is putting on de dress 
Of de greens, de reds an' de yallers, 

De purples, de pinks an' de res'. 

IV greenin* dat de fragrance of de 
springtime 
Makes de season "pear mighty dear. 
But sho' as you're born, you can gib me 
every time 
De sweetness of de fall of de year. 

When de chickapins an' chestnuts are 
plenty. 
An' de 'possum is hanging by de tail, 
An' de coon is rackin 4 on de rail 

Den de cooshaws, an' de pumpkin are 
smilin'. 

An' de apples, an" de peaches are here 
You can have your spring an' de summer, 

But gib me de fall of de year. 

Den de cotton is ready for de pickiu'. 

An' de chunes comes floodin' ter de 
mind 
From hop-light-ladies, so Mr Brown 

Ter do greatest spiritual kind. 

Den de darkies am gittin' mighty happy; 

For de revival time am near. 
Gittin' de ligun over agin in de fall 

Makes it de happiest time of de year. 

Den de hog is ready for de killin', 
46 



Umb! dem chitlins am bilin' in de pot, 

While de fatty bread am bakin' in de oven 

An de yaller yams gittin, mighty hot. 

Den de turkey is spilin' wid de fatness, 
An'de circus an' de clown am here. 

What me, could I say ter convince you 
Dat de fall is de best of de year. 



UNCLE ABRAM. 

Poor and old, old father Abram 
With his hair as white a wool; 

Stood alooking toward the cabin 
Till his heart and eyes were full. 

Listening to the voice of Hannah, 

As she sits and sings aloud; 
"Swing low sweeter chariot 

Doming ter carry me home." 

Then he shook his head and murmered; 

"I'll be dah-ar-r. I'll be dah-ar-r 
When de roll is called up yonder 

I'll de dah-ar-r, I'll be dah-ar-r;" 

B ut a voice from out the willows 
Checked him in his happy mood, — 

"Uncle Ab'am will you help me. — 
Go and bring me out some food." 

"God, be praised!" said Uncle Abram, 
"Bless my soul 'tis Molly Dan, — 

Child I never, 'spect ter see you 
On dis side of dat good Ian'." 

Hush! dey are comin', Uncle Abram. 

Dey will shoot an* hang me too; 
But I swear, I never done it. 

An' uvery word I say is true. 

"Strip yourself," said Uncle Abram, 
Take my clothes and gib me y'orn, 

Keep de creek, an' never leave it, 
Till you h'ar dem blow de horn. 

As he watched his fleeing nephew, 
And was wanderin what to do; 

He heard the barking of the blood hounds 
Just, across the second slough. 

"Time! Oh time!" cried Uncle Abram 

"Jist a leetle time ter pray," 
Then he urged his trembling footsteps, 

Up the road to Colonel Day. 

"Foller that dog! Never mind the creek 
Here's his tracks — yonder he is, — 

Halt! Shoot! The shots rain down, — 
Thank heaven they fell a-miss. 



47 



Down in the road poor Abram knelt 
As the mob around him stood. — 

"Good-bye Hannah! Good-bye, he said, 
"I's done de best I could." 

"You honery cuss!" — you cheat a mob!" 
We'll" — just then a voice was heard. 

"Hold on gentlemen," said Colonel Day 
"Let me, put in a word." 

"I'll answer for Abram, gentlemen, 

And now will explain, 
And you won't shoot or hang him; 

But will set him free again. 

In the terrible fight of the Wilderness 

1 was shot and left to die. — 
The woods were afire — I lost all hopes 

Till Abram came passing by, 

He pittied me and took me up; 

Though I fought against his race; 
He carried this old body of mine 

Into a safety place. 

Untie his hands, and let him go; 

I'll answer, now, for him; 
I'll shed every drop of blood in me,— - 

I mean it — gentlemen. "- 

The sun shone out. the mob withdrew 

Uncle Abram tried to say: 
"Colonel, I'll ansah for you, if I can. 

In dat great jidgement day." 



THOSE BLASTED DOTS 

The first time I counted 'em. I 'noed I 
counted right; 
I counted in the day time, I counted in 
the night. 
I punched 'em full of pid holes an' helt 
'em ter the light. 
An counted everyone aloud, an' I 'noed 
I counted right. 

I thought no use of guessin'; any fool 
could count the dots, 
They war scattered thar before me 
several thousand spots; 
No use ter count 'em over— 'tis work fer 
little tots, 
Why should I be uneasy, any fool could 
count the dots. 

I ventured ter the office an' handed in my 
count. 
An' paid my half a dollar for I noed I 



48 



had the 'mount, 
I stopped an' took a coolin' at the little city 
fount, 
An' thought no use of doubtin'; I 'noed I 
had the count, 

So when supper all war over 1 hunted up 
the dots, 
An' thought I'd count again those little 
easy spots. 
I counted an' I counted till my eyes war 
filled with blots, 
• Great Scotts" Molly, thar's a difference 
in the dots 
So 1 went ter the office with another dif- 
ferent counts; 
For I felt surer than ever — for I 'noed I 
had the 'mount; 
An' I took another coolin' at the little, city 
fount 
An" chawed my old terbaccer I fer I 
'noed I had the count. 

So 1 stopped at the Fair store an' picked 
several suits — 
Laid a dress away for Mollie an d Jonny 
a pair of boots; 
For thar war no use of waitin'— I 'noed I 
had the fruits. 
An' satisfied myself without any more 
dispute. 

So when supper all war over I hunted up 
the spots. 
Beg-in ter count agen those little easy 
dots. 
1 counted an' I counted till my eyes 
were blind with spots; 
Thunder an' botheration, thar war other 
blasted dots! 

1 never war faint hearted; I'm still on the 
count; 
Thar's 27,000 an' increasing in amount 
I am comin', Mr. Editor, with another dif- 
ferent score. 
Them blasted dots are changin' every 
time I look 'em o'er. 

SIS' DOVE'S WEALTH. 

So honey chile! Sis Dove am rich 
An' gittin' richer uvery minit; 

She brung de firstgrits of de dirt 
Dat dir'er yearth has in it. 

Whar'd she git it? Don't axer me, 
De older folks can tell, — 



49 



I was a little stompin' gal. 
When de stars done fell. 

Sis Dove she knows uvery thing, 

An' when you gwine ter die, 
Befo' dem bells, toll de knell; 

You'll h'ar moanin' cry, 
She knows when plantin' time am come; 

If craps be good or bad, 
Or whether de farmers, at harvest time. 

Be pleased or very sad. 

If she coos on de right of de plow. 

Den plant corn in de field, 
If on de left — waste dar no licks: 

Kase dar will be no yiel, 
She Dlanted de fust grain of de corn 

Whar she git it? Is dat your plea? 
Done tole you ax de older folks 

An' not to axer me. 

She has a lien on all de craps; 

For plantin' dat ar' grain' 
An' rise her young ones in de fiel; 

Dar plenty corn obtain. 
She knows de fruits of de worl', 

An' uvery thing its got 
An' all de gates both norf and souf, 

An' whar de posts am sot. 

De worl' nigherly lost dat ar' grain, 

Twas stole' by de mockin' bird — 
He stole' dat grain from Sis' Dove's house 

I've very frequent heard, 
What he done wid it; Dat was hit 

Dat 'larn de plantation so. 
Sis Dove, she moan; rnoan; an' moan: 

An' didn't know whar ter go. 

Howsome'er she had a little spicionin' 

Dat de mockin' bird would steal; 
He was so guiiiy dat he sotle' away. 

An' drap it in de fiel; 
Nobody knew dat de corn war dar; 

But de corn tole itself — 
De corn come up in de springtime. 

An' give away de thef. 

Mister mockin' bird, hid in de woods, — 

Sis' watched de corn unfold — 
When autumn come — out pop de grain, 

An' de tale war, plainly tole. 
De sputement was, who put it dar. 

An' de varmints all agree' 
Dat de mockin' bird must leave de wile, 

An' ter de barn yard flee: 

For mister man had fenced de corn 

Dat used ter be so free- 
It made de birds an' varments mad; 



50 



So dey could hardily see 
Mister man he raised de corn, 

An' as 1 have lately heard, 
He's find a fine, if one should kill 

Dat talksin' mockin' bird. 

De birds dey fust about Sis' Dove 

Till mister man had yiel,' 
An' give Sis' Dove a big crap lien 

On all de corn in de fiel! 
De mockin' bird talks ter much, 

An' uvery thing he tells — 
Don't eat his eggs, you h'ar me chile. 

You'll git dat talkin' spell. 



HANNAH'S COMPLAINT 

•'Dis Thanksgivin' time am 'roun' ag'in 

Wid its turkeys an' punkin' pies 
An' de way de people will gjbble dem in 

Brings tloodin' tears ter my eyes 
When 1 see no turkey in dat ar pot 

A steamin' an' sputtin' aroun', 
It makes me feel dat I'm de poorest sot 

In all de 'arth ter be foun'." 

Now look h'ar Hannah you wurs me 

Ter h'ar you talk dat way. 
You knowed I'd fill dat chicken coop, 

If dem dogs war outter de way 
You have de sugar, de milk an' de butter; 

Go long an' bake dem pies. 
An' stop dat snuffin' about dat turkey 

Dat's roostin' up n'ar de skies, 

I know your h'art am achin! dar 

When you see no turkey about, — 
But sho' as you' ar born 1 think 1 h'ar 

Dat turkey callin' me out " 
"Yes, hunie child he's callin' you — 

Been callin' you all de while — 
He's over dar in de Warnock fiel' 

Close by dat punkin' pile. 

Now, look h'ar Hannah who you takin' to! 

Do you think I'm givine ter steal? 
You know dat turkey keeps callin' me 

Over dar in de Warnock fiel;— 
Flow no turkey to call for me. 

An' I'fail ter go ter him — 
Ter leave dat turkey a squalin' out dar. 

No. I am givine to fetch him in. 

Uncle Dan stoled out through the War- 
nock field 

While Hannah was washing the pot. 
But some cause or other, she didn't feel 

The happiest one in de lot. 






When she heard the barking of the 
Warnock dogs. 

And the firing of a distant gun 
She dropped her head and repented much 

Of the wrongs that she had done, 

But a sudden noise at the kitchen door, 

Caused Hannah to open her eyes; 
But the striking of a turkey wing 

Was certainly a sweet surprise. 
"Dar's dat turkey dat war callin' me, 

Over dar, in dat ar pen,— 
I'low no turkey ter call for me 

An' I not go ter him." 



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